Do Honey Face Masks Really Work?

We've all heard about the skin beautifying benefits of honey face masks, whether you've heard about this magical beauty remedy from a friend or from your great aunt. Do they really work? Should you be putting this sticky, gooey stuff on your face?

Well, honey has proven its benefits in clinical trials as a good antibacterial agent and skin healer — definitely a plus for acne prone skin. It is also known to reduce inflammation and have overall soothing properties; making it useful as a base for sensitive and dry skin diy treatments.

My preference for honey face masks is rooted in the fact that I always have a jar in my cupboard anyway, and I'm a practical girl. I love the stuff, especially a good, thick raw honey, the kind that you know is just loaded with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. I put it in my tea and coffee and have been enjoying peanut butter and honey sandwiches since my college roommate introduced me to this sweet spin off on a lunch time classic.

Here are three recipes that you can try out. And yes, from my homemade face mask experience, honey — the raw, minimally processed, nutrient-packed kind (manuka if you want to spend a little more) — does work.

For a honey mask for aging skin, mix together:

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons grapeseed oil
• 3 drops carrot seed essential oil

For acne:

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teapsoons jojoba oil
• 3 drops tea tree essential oil

For all skin types:

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
• 2 inches of a ripe banana, mashed